Growing up, finding a passion for acting and music came easy to Kelley Peters because of her family. Peters, who’s portrayed country music star, Patsy Cline several times throughout her career, sees herself in the singer. You can watch her in Stages production of “Always…Patsy Cline” through the end of October.
Q: What made you fall in love with acting?
“I come from a musical family. Music was already integrated into our family, so I was fortunate to grow up in that because it was a way to connect, to grow together. Music is very healing. We can have different views, but music can be that dialogue when there’s nothing else. So, I tried anything and everything, but I navigated towards creating. I did choir. I played the violin growing up. Dance. Eventually, [I] really set into my foundation and comfort on the stage.”
Q: What do you enjoy most about playing Patsy Cline and do you share any similar traits?
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With any character I play, there’s gonna be an element of yourself in their shoes. When you step into the shoes, you’re gaining a bit of them. You’re learning the lessons from that person. For me, it’s just inevitable that I’m taking a piece of that character, adding it to my toolbelt, and carrying it with me as I navigate through my life. Specifically, with Patsy, I’ll tell myself I don’t know if I can finish the day as Kelley, but I sure can as Patsy because she’s a force to be reckoned with, a pioneer for women’s rights. She’s strong.”
Q: What’s your favorite Patsy Cline song to perform?
“The first time I portrayed Patsy was in the summertime 2017. Now, [I’m] portraying her at 33. When years pass, you’re gaining more knowledge about yourself. You’re growing. You're going through hills and valleys. The past year and a half have been some of the hardest times I’ve gone through. Now, with that knowledge, singing “Crazy” is so difficult to sing, such a challenge. Now, when I sing it, there’s such weight to the words and such an understanding, more than when I first portrayed Patsy.”
Patsy Cline's birthday is coming up next Friday. Have you seen the show yet or are you a Patsy Cline fan? Email me.
